SPY: 2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Facelift (W 166) shows new details

The revamped generation of the M-Class is set to be officially unveiled towards the end of the year. The SUV will showcase a more dramatic styling, which meets the cues of the new design philosophy from Stuttgart.
The front fascia will be subject to the most important important visual upgrade. New headlights with LED technology as standard and, possibly, MULTIBEAM LED as an option will create a more striking impact on lookers. Another part that criticized on the "phase 1" model was the radiator grille with perforated design. For the facelift, Mercedes-Benz will prepare not one, but two different appointments on the grille depending on the model.

There will basically be three versions: the basic trim, the intermediate luxury version recognizable through the 2-slat design of the grille and a high-end, sporty variant which is to feature a single, thin-louvre grille. Moreso, the AMG Sport package will also be offered and it will likely resemble the style seen on similar models such as the new C-Class and the new CLS-Class Facelift.

Apart from the grille and its distinctive design, the facelift of the W 166 will also add a new front air intakes and further tweaks seen on the latest Mercedes-Benz models. The rear end is also bound to receive a few updates, including the slightly revised tail lamps, the oval exhausts and the new rear diffuser discretely integrated in the bumper.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz will fit its new-generation M-Class with the latest version of COMAND Online, which also features a touchpad and an improved rotary controller, with the new Head Up Display also being a possible equipment. The engine range will receive an efficiency enhancement, while the units will likely stay the same. The ML 250 BlueTEC with 204 hp will form the entry-level model, with the ML 350 BlueTEC following it with 258 hp. The ML 350 will be replaced by the new ML 400 powered by the new 3.0-litre V6 BITURBO engine producing 333 hp. An all-new addition to the lineup will be the ML 450 model with 367 hp, followed by the ML 500 that is likely to receive a power boost from 408 hp to 435 hp.

On the AMG side, the surprise will come with a new engine in two power stages. The standard ML 63 AMG will boast 557 hp, whereas the S-Model (or the Performance Package model) will be capable of achieving no less than 585 hp. There is no information on a possible hybrid model and we feel for now Mercedes-Benz is not interested in offering such a version, given the lack of sales of the discounted ML 450 HYBRID under the W 164 model series.

Look for the new ML Facelift to debut around November, most likely at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2014.